This week, we have another great lineup of literary events in the region. Here’s a quick look at the upcoming book discussions, readings, open mics, and workshops.
Thursday, March 21
1:00 PM – Women’s Issues and the Arts @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
“Women’s Issues and the Arts” discusses women’s issues and the methods through which writers and artists have dealt with the societal challenges facing women.
2:00 PM – Novels After Noon Book Group @ Albany Public Library – Bach Branch
“Novels After Noon” explores a variety of genres including memoirs, historical fiction, mysteries, and more. Books discussed will be available through the library or digital download.
4:00 PM – Third Draft Thursday @ The Poetry Barn
Join us on Zoom each third Thursday of the month from January-October (4-6 PM) for a peer-critique workshop.
6:45 PM – A Writer’s Night in March
Straw Dog Writers Guild and The Longmeadow Adult Center present A Writer’s Night with Richard Michelson. RICHARD MICHELSON’s most recent poetry collection is Sleeping as Fast as I Can (Slant Books, 2023).
7:00 PM – CAPS Be the Feature Open Mic
CAPS Be the Feature Open Mic is always a fluid evening. Maybe participants read 6 poems. Maybe 5. Maybe 3. Maybe 2… This month’s featured poet is Tony Howarth.
7:30 PM – Third Thursday Poetry Night Featuring Victorio Reyes Asili @ Social Justice Center
Local poet Victorio Reyes Asili will read from his work at the Social Justice Center with an open mic for community poets.
Friday, March 22
7:00 PM – From Page to Stage: Turning Poets into Performers featuring David Gonzalez @ The Poetry Barn
This free public performance will begin with Page-to-Stage poets reading one work each and culiminate with Mr. Gonzalez reading a few selections from his inaugural collection of poetry, Soundings (Poetry Box, 2023).
Saturday, March 23
1:00 PM – How to Craft a Metaphor with Therese Broderick @ Schenectady Public Library – Niskayuna Branch
This workshop for writers of all genres will offer: practical craft tips; a tribute to writers with diverse identities and abilities; a packet of resources; and guidance for using AI in writing.
2:00 PM – Sam Daley-Harris Signing “Reclaiming Our Democracy” @ The Open Door Bookstore
Sam Daley-Harris will be signing Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy. The book provides a powerful way to make a difference and heal our democracy in the process. It’s not the only solution needed, but is one essential, missing piece: citizens awakening to their power.
5:00 PM – Carl Korn signs and discusses, “He Saved Everyone But Me” @ The Book of Stuyvesant Plaza
Harry Truman Loev is haunted by a childhood so traumatic, he severed ties with his family and declared himself an orphan. When his father, a revered hero firefighter, dies two decades later, Harry is pulled by forces he can’t fully explain to confront his troubled past and seek answers.
6:00 PM – Eric Rickstad – “Lilith” @ Northshire Manchester
Internationally bestselling and local author Eric Rickstad will join us to celebrate the release of his latest work Lilith, an incendiary powerhouse of a novel that strikes straight at the wounded heart of America.
Sunday, March 24
2:00 PM – Local Author Spotlight Multi-book Signing @ Northshire Manchester
Six local authors will join us in our Manchester store to autograph copies of their books. Please note that this will be a signing only, there will not be a seated author presentation.
7:00 PM – Root/Stories @ Dottie’s Coffee Lounge
Similar to a story slam in spirit, WordXWord’s Stories is a spirited sharing of true, first person stories told, not read, circling loosely around a theme. March’s theme is ROOT. You’ll have to be there to know where the stories take us.
Monday, March 25
5:00 PM – QUILTBAG+ Book Club for Teens @ Schenectady Public Library – Glenville Branch
Read the rainbow! Enjoy novels, memoirs, comics, and more books with an LGBTQIA+ focus.
Tuesday, March 26
5:00 PM – Teen Writing Club @ Schenectady Public Library – Scotia Branch
Budding authors are invited to meet for snacks, fun writing prompts, and sharing our work (although sharing is optional).
7:30 PM – Lydia Davis: “one of the most original minds in American fiction today” @ University at Albany
A former faculty member in the UAlbany English Department, Lydia Davis received the 2013 Man Booker International Prize for “continued creativity, development and overall contribution to fiction on the world stage.”
Wednesday, March 27
12:30 PM – Midday Write Ins @ Mochalisa’s Caffe
Midday Write Ins are a free, shared space to write. No fee, no minimum, no programming. Just a free space to write alongside other writers.
5:45 PM – Writers Group @ Schenectady Public Library – Central Branch
Whether you’ve been doing it forever or just starting out, bring your written words to this volunteer run community group and receive feedback from fellow wordsmiths as time permits.
6:00 PM – Writing Inside the Body @ A.P.E Gallery, Northampton
Susan Sensemann will lead a 2 hour writing workshop at A.P.E. Gallery, 126 Main Street, Northampton in conjunction with a five-person exhibition “Physiotasmagorical” which investigates corporeal secrets that reside at the juncture of the clinical and the imaginary in fantastic conjurings of our internal selves.
6:00 PM – Yaddo Presents Amitava Kumar – “My Beloved Life” @ Northshire Saratoga
Author Amitava Kumar will join us to discuss his absorbing, exceptionally moving novel that traces the arc of an ordinary man’s life made exceptional by the fact that he has loved and has been loved in turn.
6:30 PM – March Madness Poetry Share @ Belding Memorial Library
Why are March Hares mad? To ponder this and other questions about life and Spring, join writer and poet Arianna Alexsandra Collins of Offerings for Community Building for an evening of speaking your truth through poetry. This March Madness challenge we toast to our frisky, cabin-fever, crazed, momentary-lapses-of-reason, mad-world poems.
7:00 PM – Straw Dog Writes Weekly Writers Meet Up
Straw Dog Writers Guild members who would like to spend some time writing together can join a Zoom session. We will spend 15 minutes on introductions, a 45 minute writing session, have a 15 minute discussion, then write for a second 45 minute period of time.
7:00 PM – Howl Story Slam @ Olive Ridley’s
The Howl Story Slam is a live storytelling competition. Anyone can sign up to tell a story the night of the event. The rules: true stories, no notes, under 5 minutes Theme: Risky Business No tickets needed. Admission is a suggested $10 donation at the door.
Did we miss anything? Let us know at info@hvwg.org, and be sure to check out https://hvwg.org to find out more about our vibrant literary and arts community.
